The Grand Theft Auto series has inspired countless fan projects over the years, but one engineer has come up with a unique idea that brings one of the franchise’s most recognizable features into the real world. Vishal Soni has created StrideCity, a portable device that recreates GTA’s iconic circular minimap and turns everyday walking into something that feels like exploring a video game.

The project was inspired by the instantly recognizable minimap that appears in the corner of GTA games, which helps players navigate large open-world cities. Soni wanted to recreate that same feeling outside the game by building a device that reacts to real-world movement. The build process is all on Hackster, and the code that makes it work is free to download on GitHub.

StrideCity features a small round display that shows a GTA-inspired circular map. As the user walks, the device detects movement through its built-in motion sensors, causing the map to scroll in real time. The faster the user moves, the faster the map moves across the screen, creating the illusion of traveling through a virtual city while walking in the real world.

How does it work?

The project is built around the WaveShare ESP32-S3 Round Display, which includes a 1.28-inch touchscreen, an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, and a built-in 6-axis IMU sensor consisting of an accelerometer and gyroscope. Thanks to these sensors, the device can accurately detect motion without needing any complicated external hardware.

To make the project portable, Soni paired the display with a 500mAh rechargeable Li-Po battery, allowing it to run for several hours on a single charge. Everything is housed inside a custom-designed 3D-printed case that was created using Tinkercad. The enclosure uses a snap-fit design, meaning it doesn’t require screws while still keeping the display and battery securely in place.

Although the current version doesn’t use GPS, Soni already has several ideas for future upgrades. These include adding live GPS navigation so the map reflects the user’s actual location, creating a Bluetooth companion app to display activity data such as step counts, reducing the size of the device, and even turning it into a keychain. There are also plans for dedicated bicycle and car mounts.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.